Stylish Extra Seating for the Holidays

The holiday season is upon us and this time of year calls for extra seating when entertaining. Every holiday season I look forward to being in the great company of friends and family… and even though every guest is accounted for, I usually end up having one or two (or three) unexpected visitors. The more, the merrier! So, whether you need additional seating just during this time of year, or all throughout the year, I’ve pulled together several chic and functional options you can easily tuck away or incorporate into your home’s design.

One way to accommodate a larger crowd is to make sure you have enough seating available when the time arrives. The days of pulling folding chairs out of your garage are long gone. It’s so much easier and more fashionable to “stay ready, so you’ll be ready” with options like an upholstered coffee table that doubles as a seat for your guests.

Smaller ottomans are such a versatile and customizable solution, too. Stack them under a side table or tuck them away in a corner, they come in extra handy when a dear girlfriend brings a friend or a beloved neighbor is out of plans. When not in use, ottomans remain functional and work with the rest of your décor. Think of them as a puzzle piece that can come and go, and can be moved around without disrupting the whole image.

Another way to ensure you have enough extra seating is a stylish bench. Off season, it hibernates under a window. You might sit on it to apply your mascara or place near a door for your handbags. When the necessity calls, just put in place and it’ll easily seat two or three guests.

Extra seating ideas for the kitchen are plentiful, as well. The bar stools that serve well at the island or breakfast counter come in handy and can be used to create extra space for a smaller, more intimate setting.